Chapter 25 Redeemer

Redeemer by Palaye Royale is the type of song I'd put on every time I wanted to ball my eyes out. And after the most recent events I honestly haven't been feeling like I want to hold back crying. I feel like the song describes who I am- how depressing.

-

Mavis' first decision as head of the base was to find escaped runaway Insurgents and targets of the Insurgence and relocate them here. There were plenty always floating around, the only problem would be finding these rogue Insurgents and figuring out who is being targeted. She wouldn't admit that her decision came partially after Ayla explained what happened the day of Eveline's anniversary, but I knew.

Kyle suggested that we just stand outside elementary schools and see if anything was suspicious. I didn't think it was funny.

I was on my usual grocery trip because what else would I be doing and the strangest thing happened- a box of cereal hit me in the back of the head.

And when I winced, the cereal box just... scurried away.

As I was watching said cereal box slide across the aisle, no other person in sight. The second shelf in the aisle, full of more cereals, began to fly out at me and crash on to the floor one after the other like a ripple in water.

I could only stand in horror, but I honestly didn't have much of a reaction. What did I do about it? Absolutely nothing. Because why would I? Literally what could I have done. I simply let go of my cart and exited the store without a word.

Anyways that's how this situation started. There's been reports all across town of a grocery store prankster only whoever it was was clearly someone with telekinesis. And unless there's another secret society full of people with powers then I'm going to take a lucky guess and say they're a rogue Insurgent.

So now, if you couldn't tell already, I'm very annoyed as I drive everyone around town in my car to the last report of the telekinetic: a residential neighborhood.

I hate driving anyone around. This car is definitely not supposed to seat six people in it anyways but what police officer is going to stop us? Five out of the six of us are already presumed dead and one is a delusional maniac.

Mavis grabbed my arm, "Stop the car."

I slammed on the breaks sending everyone flying forward, "What I literally cannot stop it here-"

"This was the house in my vision," Mavis exclaimed. "Jack, do you hear anything."

I sighed, muttering to myself about how much I hate my life more than usual today, and closed my eyes. I concentrated on drowning out my surroundings and searched through random thoughts I could hear in the vicinity until one was louder and stood out to me: 'Why the hell is there a car parked outside my house right now.'

I opened my eyes and shuddered, "Yeah I think someone's home and I don't know if they're going to be too happy to see us."

Mavis shrugged, "I don't care. It's the first attempt at bringing an Insurgent back home and I need it to go well, do you guys understand me?"

"And what if it doesn't? Huh? Are you gonna write us up?" Jasmine joked.

Mavis breathed, "I just might."

We all got out of the car and made our way into the house. I was tempted to ask if this house could be right with the boarded up windows and obvious withering with the house but I suppose that would make the place perfect.

The door was already cracked open which made me nervous but Kyle stepped in front and kicked it open.

"We look like we're about to gang up on this kid," I whispered.

Mavis frowned and looked around the house.

The house was devoid of furniture, no lights on, and completely silent. The air was still and wind wailed through the cracked windows. The carpets and white countertops were stained in multiple places and parts of the ceiling and walls had splintering cracks running around the interior like something just scratched their nails into the wall.

"Yikes," Ethan whispered.

Ayla's face was visibly worried as she took in the interior cautiously. "I don't feel right about this." I'm honestly mad at Ayla for going and telling Mavis about what happened, obviously Mavis already knew to an extent but this time... I couldn't do it. The thought of doing it made me throw up in my mouth and this time I was just so painfully aware of all the people I'd be letting down. I did it as a punishment for what happened to Eveline but I finally did something good and carried on her name by bringing Ayla here and I just... hurting myself felt like tarnishing things even more. I don't know. It's all twisted in my brain and I can't even remember it all the way at this point.

Ayla just described me to feel crazy and dangerous. I understand she's never had to deal with anything like this before and she believed she was doing the right thing but making me feel insane wasn't helpful. She thinks that life is all good and should be taken advantage of and whatever, that everything can be fixed. In a lot of ways we had the same experience but we somehow ended up with polar opposite outlooks.

Mavis shoved me, "Earth to Jack hello?" She looked annoyed. "Has anyone seen anything?"

I know someone is in this house but I don't have the energy to say that.

Ethan and Kyle stood on the base of a staircase and called out, "We're going to check the basement-"

We were cut off by the high pitched laughter of a child.

Of course this rogue Insurgent had to be a child.

Ayla turned around and gasped but it was too late for us to turn and prepare ourselves. The kid stood at the end of a hallway leading into the kitchen and sent everyone flying in different directions. Kyle and Ethan toppled down the staircase, Mavis, Jasmine and I were knocked by an invisible force into the abandoned living room, a door slamming behind us.

I groaned and sat up, a sore sensation in my abdomen and chest, "Where is Ayla?"

Blood dripped from a gash across Mavis' forehead and Jasmine yelped, locking her shoulder back into place. "What the hell-"

I shook my head and tried to shake the thoughts of my sister, who was telekinetic just like this kid. She could never exude so much power unlike the kid though, every time she pushed her limit you would physically see the toll it took.

"That kid is way too freaking strong," Mavis said through gritted teeth. "You told us someone was knocking down cereal boxes! Not that we'd be knocked into the next room!"

I rolled my eyes, "Sorry guess he had an off day."

I tried the doorknob and groaned when it didn't budge. "The kid locked it-"

"Or he's using his powers," Jasmine added. "If be separated all of us then it isn't locked, it's definitely by the will of his own force."

I rolled my eyes, "Well thank you for the explanation but it isn't going to save Ayla from the 'will of his own force-'"

"Shut up and start kicking!" Mavis stepped in front of me and launched her leg at the door- and the door hit back? I watched her fly across the room and slam into the opposing wall and cracking it.

Jasmine closed her eyes and cursed under her breath, "Idiots."

"Well do you have another goddamn idea? Ayla hasn't even been told the different sets of powers let alone how to defend herself from a clearly elite telekinetic!"

"Stop shouting! You don't earn the right to be a dick just because you're taking this personal."

I scoffed and shook my head, "Says you?"

Jasmine screamed at me but I immediately zoned out and connected myself with Ayla's mind. Her thoughts were very much panicked but... I could hear her voice ringing in my head, she was talking to the kid very calmly and even the kid was listening but still on edge.

"My name is Ayla Gordon and I'm not here to hurt you, I promise. I'm normal if you could even say that but I got mixed up in the people the took you away."

"They took my family. I miss my mom. I came back home and... I don't know where they went."

"And I am so sorry to hear that. You've gone through so much as just a child... I can't imagine how hard it's been. I was lucky enough for these people that are here with me to get me out before anything could happen to me, and I'm so sorry no one got to you first."

"I... I waited. Mom said if we were ever separated I just had to stay put."

Why was she talking to this kid as if he clearly did not just throw everyone in opposite directions?

I hate when she works her special touch.

"She sounds like a great mom and you know what? I think she'd be so glad to hear that you actually went back with us so you could be safe and cared for instead of waiting here all alone. What do you think?"

"They're going to hurt me..."

"They would never ever hurt you. And I'll be there so you'd know someone. We could share a room and hang out, we can do whatever you like while you wait for your mom to come and get you."

"You'd be there?"

"And so would a lot of caring and amazing people. People who would go far to try and protect you."

The door creaked as it settled and when I tried the doorknob again... it opened.

I barged into the room, the kid snapped his face at me and Ayla shook her head, "It's okay Jack-"

"Ayla get away from him."

The kid's face fell and he glared at me. All around him debris started to circle around his head. His nose was bleeding and now faint dots of red filled up his ears as well. This was hopeless...

Mavis and Jasmine filed in but stopped sharply, "Ayla... get away-"

The kid screamed, the orbit around his head halted and his hair shot up stick straight like he'd been electrocuted and then... he was gone. He made the face of a scream but no noise ever came out before he combusted. The last sight of that child would be him looking absolutely terrified.

I gagged.

The light caught the dust of the boy, the remains left behind after his power consumed him. This is what happens to defects who use too much power at once, and I had already watched this happen before.

Ayla stood rigid against the wall, staring at the pile of dust collecting on the floor and the particles still dancing in the air all around us. Her mouth was opened, her expression truly horrified with tears lining her cheeks. She looked at me and her face burned red... "How could you!"

She threw herself at me and I closed my eyes when her fists made an impact on my chest, gripping the fabric of my shirt.

"I had him! He wasn't going to hurt you!" She pushed me backward and cried out. "Now he's dead..." She exhaled a shaky breath and wailed,  "That child is dead and it's all your fault!"

"He was going to die anyway-"

She screamed, "How does that make this okay? Who is supposed to be protected with that stupid mentality?"

I closed my eyes and felt my face droop forward.

"He was just a kid! A scared kid!" Her voice was raspy and cracking with every other word she yelled. Ayla almost never yelled and tried to avoid it entirely with all the bad memories she associates with yelling.

I deserved that. I didn't know why I just threw myself straight into her interaction with the kid but I couldn't help it and I didn't think. She was right, she was handling it but I barged in and now this kid was reduced to nothing.

She raked her hands through her hair, "I don't know his name... What's his name?"

I pursed my lips and shook my head, "I- I don't know-"

"We didn't even know his name!" Her voice bounced off the walls and mocked me in my brain. I wanted to sink my fists into a wall and just cry.

I failed. I cost us this mission. I cost us a potential rebel. A boy was dead and it was all my fault.

I turned away from them and walked out the door, letting it swing back and close behind me before anyone could talk or follow me. I got inside my car, flashes of that same look on Eveline's face as they overdosed her with her own power overtook me, the sight of her skin ripping and the blood pooling at all the tears. I remembered how she just ceased to exist too, just like that boy.